Chapter 11 - {Doomed}

"Like hell, you will!!! You are the grandson of a chief, which means that you must stay here and serve your people! Not going to unknown places chasing stories that were clearly made up!"

Neil looked at his grandfather who was yelling at him. His face had turned so red that it almost matched his hair. 

"It's because of those damn dragons, isn't it?! Here I thought that you had finally grown up to see those beasts for what they really are!."

"Dad it's not because of that it's beca.."

"It doesn't matter why there is nothing for you there. Your future is here with the village and its people. If you even think of…." 

Seeing her son having a difficult time Tara while trying to comfort his 1 year old brother tried to calm things down. 

"Honey let him talk. If both of you corner him like that then…"

"Then what huh?! This is all because of how much pampered him all the time! If only we would have given him his good spanking he would have…"

"Enough!!!" 

His whole family stayed quiet for a second before his father took the sword out of his scabbard and through the sword away. 

"Why you little!…"

"Are you willing to go against the gods?" 

Once more the family became quiet but this time instead of angry expressions they showed one of confusion.

"You little shit actually dares to use the gods in order to get what you want. Just wait till I'm done with you. I'll give you the beating your father and mother failed to give you."

Neil sighed and continued to keep eye contact with his grandfather who was walking towards him as he rolled up his sleeves.

'Well here goes nothing. Gods if you truly do exist then hope you forgive me for this one.'

"Do none of you remember the name Berk? It's the name of a place that I asked you and some other villagers about many years ago. Don't you wonder how it is that I knew its name even though I never had contact with any of the merchants?" 

His grandfather froze and turned to look at his son and daughter-in-law. Now that Neil had mentioned it there had been a time where he was asking about an unknown place. But what exactly could this mean? Were the gods really involved in some way?

"Mother, do you remember when I was 8 or 9 and I told you that I wanted to buy a boat and travel the world? That was because I wanted to find berk. Even before this whole dragon nonsense began. It's all because of the dreams that I've had."

This news shocked everyone in the room. After a few seconds of silence, his grandfather walked to him and placed his hands in Neil's arms. 

"Is this true?"

Neil hated having to lie but he had already seen how they reacted to the truth.

He gave his grandfather a nod and resumed his explanation," When I was a boy I found myself in this place that called itself Berk. While I was there in my ear there was a small whisper of a man that told me to travel here. That there I will unlock my true potential and lead my home out of tough times that will come."

'This is corny but it should do the trick. The village will also better prepare themselves for anything that will be thrown at them.' 

His grandfather sat down and interlapped his fingers as he began processing what he had been told. After a bit, he sighed and looked at Neil. 

"If this is how things are then I take it that this stupid rumor appearing after you turned 16 isn't out of coincidence. It's all part of the gods' plans, a journey for you to become a better chief than I or your father ever will be." 

Seeing where things were going his father quickly walked to his own father. 

"But father, you can't possibly believe this can you?"

The red and white-haired man nodded, "It makes sense son. Both you and I know that if this brat ever becomes chief our villagers will be in serious trouble. His greed, naivety, and isolating tendencies are big issues among many others. Maybe in this journey after he discovers how dark this world can be he will become a better man. Who knows he might even find a wife and let me see my great grandkids before I leave this earth."

'Ouch! Is there really that much wrong with me?!'

"But father what happens if he gets hurt?!"

"Didn't you hear him the gods already told him he was going to be fine. As long as he doesn't stray away from the god's path it should be alright."

After a bit more discussion his father finally agreed to let him sail off. He clearly didn't like the idea but if the gods and his own father the village chief agreed there was nothing else he could do. 

As for his mother, she supported his decision and showed it by smiling and giving him a thumbs up. 

"Now since we all calmed down, when are you planning on leaving?" 

Neil looked at his grandfather and shrugged, "I was planning on leaving with Yaret when he sails off."

"Is that so...tell me was Yaret in any of your dreams?"

'What?'

He didn't understand where this was going but he shook his head, "he wasn't"

"Then you can't leave with him. As I said earlier we can't stray from the path the gods have laid on for you. In your dream, you alone went to Berk meaning that you alone must travel there." 

'What the hell!!! Where the heck did that conclusion come from!!!"